Workplace Health Promotion in the Context of Aging Workforce in Europe

Abstract

The global process of population aging and changes in labour force participation models increase the median age of the working population. The increasing number and proportion of employed at age 60 and more inevitably affect workplace health promotion and is a challenge to all employers, companies and countries. The purpose of this article is to analyze the attitude of the society in European countries to the problem of the aging workforce, the extent to which employers assess specific health needs of older workers, and their willingness to adapt working conditions to them. The analysis is based on data collected by the European Agency for safety and health at work (EU-OSHA) in the framework of the Pan-European survey on occupational safety and health, the International Monetary fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), country profiles etc. The majority of employers consider that older workers are less productive, less adaptable to changes in the workplace, and therefore more at risk of stress. They confirm the necessity of programs and policies which make the working environment more friendly to old workers. At the same time, organizations which already implement such policies is low in most European countries. It varies from 1% to 24% in different countries. Although they are aware of the risks to which workers over the age of 60 are exposed, the development and implementation of health promotion programs in the workplace, addressing the specific needs of older workers, is not a widespread practice.